Protective devices for cooking apparatus and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Protective devices for cooking apparatus and methods of use are provided herein. An example protective cover includes a substrate, having a first layer of a heat resistant textile, the substrate covers or overlaps a stove, the substrate having panels that are selectively removable and which align with burners of the stove, further removal of the panels exposes the burners of the stove.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to protective covers, and more specifically, but not by limitation, to devices that protectively cover cooking apparatus such as stovetops or cooktops. Some protective covers comprise removable panels that define apertures. These apertures match cooktop features such as burner elements, burner grates, vents, dials, and other similar components. The protective covers protect an upper surface of a cooktop when the burners or other features are in use, as well as when not in use to prevent soiling and/or damage to the cooktop.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a substrate, comprising: a first layer of a heat resistant textile, the substrate covers or overlaps a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of a stove, the substrate comprising panels that are selectively removable and which align with features of the stove, further wherein removal of the panels exposes the features of the stove.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a kit of parts, comprising: (a) a substrate, comprising: a first layer of a heat resistant textile, the substrate covers or overlaps a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of a stove, the substrate comprising panels that are selectively removable and which align with burners of the stove, further wherein removal of the panels exposes the burners of the stove; (b) a box, the substrate being disposed within the box; and (c) an instruction set that describes and illustrates placement of the substrate on the stove.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a protective cover for a stove, the protective cover comprising: a layer of a heat resistant material that covers or overlaps a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the stove; and wherein the protective cover comprises apertures that have arrangements and dimensions defined by burner areas, knobs, or vents of the stove.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a protective cover for a stove, comprising: (a) a means for covering an upper surface of a stove, the stove being defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge in such a way that stove features are not covered or overlapped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the technology or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the technology is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example protective cover of the present disclosure in association with a stove.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top-down elevation view of the protective cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top-down elevation view of another example protective cover having panels defined by perforations.

FIG. 5 is a top-down elevation view of the example protective cover of FIG. 4 with a panel removed.

FIG. 6 is a top-down elevation view of a protective cover in association with a stove, illustrating various dimensions of the stove.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to protective covers, and more specifically, but not by limitation, to devices that protectively cover cooking apparatus such as stovetops or cooktops. Some protective covers comprise removable panels that define apertures. These apertures match cooktop features such as burner elements, burner grates, vents, dials, and other similar components. The protective covers protect an upper surface of a cooktop when the burners or other features are in use, as well as when not in use to prevent soiling and/or damage to the cooktop.

In one approach, a protective cover is provided that may be substantially flame resistant, washable, and wipeable material and which, when placed on top of a stove, may substantially protect the stove top from scratches, dings, dents, food, and dirt or grease. The protective cover may be in the form of a mat. Before cooking, the protective cover is simply placed on top of the stove making sure the stove surfaces are adequately covered and that the open flames from the stove burners do not touch the protective cover. In some embodiments, a bottom layer of the protective cover is made from a cloth material or other heat resistant material. The cloth material may be a cloth material with aramid fibers and fiberglass for support. A top or upper layer of the protective cover may be made from a heat resistant material such as a laminated aluminium polyester film. The top layer may have a decorative pattern or look which may be one of variety of different patterns to match a particular kitchen décor, making it stylish and updated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example protective cover 100 that comprises a substrate 102 and one or more apertures, such as aperture 104. An upper surface 101 of the substrate 102 comprises a layer or film of material 106 that is stain resistant and/or heat and impact resistant. Additional layers of substrate 102 are illustrated in FIG. 2, which is a cross section of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A. The one or more apertures of the substrate 102 match various features of a stove 108, such as a burner grate 110 and burner element 112, a grill, and so forth.

In various embodiments a lower surface 116 of the protective cover 100 lies flat and contacts the upper surface 114 of the stove 108. In one embodiment, the upper surface 114 of the stove 108 includes co-planar sections of the stove 108 and excludes any areas of the stove 108 that are non-coplanar with the planar sections such as the depressions that hold the burner elements.

Stated otherwise, the stove 108 comprises an upper surface having sections that are co-planar with one another. The upper surface extends around and between the features of the stove. The first layer of the substrate contacts only the sections of the upper surface around and between the features of the stove and does not overlap the features of the stove. For example, the substrate 102 does not extend over the burner element 112 or burner grate 110.

In some embodiments the apertures of the protective cover 100 define an outer peripheral edge of the features of the stove 108. For example, an aperture 104 is defined by an outer periphery 120 of a burner grate 110. When the protective cover 100 is placed on the upper surface 101 of the stove 108 the apertures allow for access and use of the features of the stove 108. That is the protective cover 100 does not overlap or cover the features of the stove 108.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover 100 of FIG. 1. The protective cover 100 comprises the layer or film of material 106. In some embodiments this comprises a metalized film or layer such as a polyester aluminum. The polyester aluminium layer may be laminated. This layer provides heat resistance and/or stain resistance to the protective cover 100. Splattering or stains creating during cooking can be wiped away based on the stain resistance provided by the layer or film of material 106.

A lower layer 118 is disposed below the layer or film of material 106. The lower layer 118 comprises a textile material, and in some embodiments a heat resistant textile. The lower layer 118 comprises, in some embodiments, aramid fibers and fiberglass components in some embodiments, which also provides heat resistant and fire proof qualities. These are merely example compositions of textile materials and are non-limiting.

While the protective covers illustrated herein are comprised of two or more layers, some embodiments can include only a single layer. For example, a protective cover can comprise only the layer or film of material 106 or the lower layer 118. If only the lower layer 118 is used and the protective cover becomes stained or damage, the protective cover can be removed and discarded.

In some embodiments, the protective cover can comprise only a heat resistant layer that is made from heat resistant textile or other heat resistant mat material that can be easily laid over the stove top by folding, draping, rolling, or laying (like a mat) over the stove top. In yet other embodiments, the heat resistant material may be a more ridged material that is place over the stove top more like a cap or shell.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down elevation view of the protective cover 100. The protective cover 100 comprises two apertures 104 and 124 that match with the features of the stove 108 (illustrated in FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of a protective cover 200. The protective cover 200 comprises a substrate 202 that comprises a plurality of panels, such as panel 204. In some embodiments, the protective cover 200 is manufactured from a sheet of the substrate 202. The panels are created by perforating the substrate 202. The dimensions of the panels correspond to placement of features of a stove, such as burner elements, grills, griddles, vents, and so forth. Prior to use a user can remove one or more of the panels as desired. For example, the user may wish to only remove a portion of the panels, while leaving one or more panels in-tact.

When panel 204 is removed an aperture 206 is defined around the perforated edge.

In one embodiment, the protective cover 200 is manufactured by providing a sheet of the substrate 202 material and cutting or otherwise creating perforations in the substrate 202 to create the outlines of the panels.

The substrate 202 can be manufactured from the same (or similar) layering described with respect to the protective cover 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the protective cover 200 with the panel 204 removed. Other panels remain on the substrate 202. In some embodiments, a user can place the panel 204 over a stove feature, such as burner 208 when the burner is not in use.

In various embodiments the panels are pre-removed from the substrate 202. That is, the user need not remove the panels prior to use, as they are already separated from the substrate 202 during manufacturing. A substrate with apertures and corresponding panels can be provided in a kit of parts as described below.

According to some embodiments, the protective covers of the present disclosure are configured as a kit of parts. For example, a kit of parts can comprise any of the protective covers described herein, as well as panels and an instruction set that instructs a user how to utilize the protective cover and/or panels included in the kit. The protective covers can be enclosed in a box or other container. In some embodiments the instructions are printed onto a sheet that is placed into the box. In various embodiments the instructions can be printed on the container. The instructions can describe how to remove perforated panels (if present), place a protective cover onto an upper surface of a stove, cover a stove feature with a detached panel (or separate panel when the protective cover comprises panels that do not require detachment, such as when the protective cover is manufactured with apertures).

In various embodiments, the protective covers of the present disclosure can comprise a third (or additional) decorative layer. In some embodiments, this layer can be disposed below an uppermost metalized layer or other transparent/semi-transparent layer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a protective cover 300 is configured to lie flat against an upper surface of a stove 302. The stove 302 comprises a top edge 304, a bottom edge 306, a left edge 308, and a right edge 310. In some embodiments, the protective cover 300 can overlay the stove 302 such that the upper surface of the stove 302 is covered up to the top edge 304, the bottom edge 306, the left edge 308, and the right edge 310. In other embodiments, the protective cover 300 can extend at least partially past any of the top edge 304, the bottom edge 306, the left edge 308, and the right edge 310, as denoted by dotted line X. The protective cover 300 can include any of the protective covers described herein.

In other embodiments, the protective cover shape and the number and size of the apertures are different from that shown in the drawings and will be dependent on the configuration of the stove top with which the protective cover is to be used. In some embodiments, the present technology is in no way limited to the particular configuration of the stove top shown in the drawings including the number and shape of the burners, buttons and vents etc.

While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the technology. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography and/or others.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, a ceramic, an amorphous solid, such as glass, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nano-material, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, anti-reflection and/or holographic, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if a device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, then the elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. Therefore, the example terms “below” and “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A substrate, comprising: a first layer of a heat resistant textile, the substrate covers or overlaps a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of a stove, the substrate comprising panels that are selectively removable and which are alignable with features of the stove, further wherein removal of the panels exposes the burners of the stove.
 2. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein the panels each have an outer peripheral area that defines an opening for one of the features of the stove.
 3. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein the stove comprises an upper surface comprises sections that are co-planar with one another, the upper surface extending around and between the features of the stove, the first layer of the substrate contacting only the upper surface and not overlapping the features of the stove.
 4. The substrate according to claim 3, wherein the panels are replaceable to cover the features of the stove when the stove is not in use, wherein the features comprise any of burner elements, burner grates, grills, griddles, vents, dials, and any combinations thereof.
 5. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein the first layer extends past the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, and the right edge of the stove.
 6. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a textile comprising aramid fibers and fiberglass.
 7. The substrate according to claim 7, further comprising a second layer that comprises a film of aluminum polyester.
 8. A kit of parts, comprising: a substrate, comprising: a first layer of a heat resistant textile, the substrate covers or overlaps a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge of a stove, the substrate comprising panels that are selectively removable and which are alignable with burners of the stove, further wherein removal of the panels exposes the burners of the stove; a box, the substrate being disposed within the box; and an instruction set that describes and illustrates placement of the substrate on the stove.
 9. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the panels each have an outer peripheral area that defines an opening for one of the burners of the stove, and further wherein the panels are replaceable to cover the burners of the stove when the stove is not in use.
 10. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the stove comprises an upper surface that is planar and extends around and between the burners of the stove, the first layer of the substrate contacting only the upper surface and not overlapping the burners of the stove.
 11. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the first layer extends past the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, and the right edge of the stove.
 12. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the first layer comprises a textile comprising aramid fibers and fiberglass.
 13. The kit of parts according to claim 12, further comprising a second layer that comprises a film of aluminum polyester.
 14. A protective cover for a stove, the protective cover comprising: a protective cover, said protective cover comprising a layer of a heat resistant material that is configured to cover or overlap the stove; wherein the protective cover includes apertures that are dimensioned and arranged to expose any one or combination of burner areas, knobs, or vents of the stove and to protect other surface areas of the stove during stove use.
 15. The protective cover of claim 14, wherein said heat resistant material layer comprises a heat resistant textile layer.
 16. The protective cover of claim 14, further comprising a metalized layer, said metalized layer being applied to an upper surface of the layer of heat resistant material.
 17. The protective cover according to claim 14, wherein the heat resistant material layer does not overlap burner areas of the stove.
 18. The protective cover according to claim 15, wherein the burner areas comprise burner elements and burner grates.
 19. The protective cover according to claim 14, further comprising at least one individual panel that is configured to be locatable over or occupy said at least one of said protective cover apertures to thereby cover said aperture(s).
 20. The protective cover according to claim 19, wherein the at least one individual panel is comprised of a substrate that comprises said heat resistant material layer and a metalized film layer.
 21. The protective cover according to claim 20, wherein said at least one individual panel(s) occupies said at least one aperture and wherein said at least one individual panel is removably attached to said protective cover by means of perforations.
 22. The protective cover system according to claim 16; wherein said metalized layer is also a decorative layer. 